All Blacks Well and Truly Beaten by Swansea

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 230, 30 September 1935, Page 7

All Blacks Well and Truly Beaten by Swansea

New Zealanders Outplayed in all Departments

Hug© Crowd Witnesses Match

Uuited Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright,

Received Sunday, 7 p.ui. LONDON, So.pt. 2t». Swansea defeated the All Blacks hy 11 points to 3 at Swansea before a crowd of 30,000. The Swansea forwards immediately began rushing tactics, obviously intending to rattle the visitors, who packed a 31 —1 scrum. Adkins completed the All Blacks’ team. Gilbert early in t he game missed with a penalty and shortly afterwards Swansea scored from a scramble near the line, Hunt using his weight to get over. Harris did not convert but Swansea were three points on. Caughey Too Closely Watched. Caughey was generally prominent but ho was closely watched aud at one stage he had no Jess than four men on to him.' Caughey appeared to say something to the Swanseaito referee who ■spoke to the players. (Shortly afterwards Davey, receiving the ball from Davies, scored a grand try between the posts and Harris converted.—Swansea S, New Zealand (J. The All Blacks wore now showing improved form and Caughey, Tindill and Corner handled before Ball scored. Gilbert failed to convert. —Swansea S, New Zealand 3. The next score came from Davey, who, after a line movement, dived across for a try which Harris was unable to convert, the spell ending: ►Swansea 11, New Zealand 3. New Zealanders’ Tactics Did Not Please Crowd. The second half opened sensationally, Harris being knocked over when marking the ball from tbe kick oh. The crowd hooted and there was an exhibition of even louder resentment when Jones was also knocked over when taking a mark. The referee then spoke to Pepper about the matter. The All Blacks were lighting hard and scrummaging strenuously, while Swansea were defending strongly. At this stage a drizzle set in, making the ball slippery. Then Swansea, with a great effort, hemmed the All Blacks iu on tlioir own goal-lino and they kept them there for a long period. The tourists towards, the close, however, made a brilliant rush the length of the field but the defence held. SWANSEA MATCH WAS A REAL TEST COMMENT BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT The special correspondent of the United Press Association, commenting on the game, says the match against Swansea was the All Blacks •’ iirst meeting with an entire club side. However, they encountered the best combination so far and Swansea was anxious to avenge the overwhelming defeat the New Zealanders inflicted iu 11)2-1 and they lived up to expectations, providing the tourists with a real test. Formidable Inside Backs. The report continues: ‘‘The forwards fought tigcrishly and had the belter of matters in the rucks and scrums. The backs were especially formidable, particularly the “schoolboy halves’' Tanner aud W. Davies, who arc regarded as the most promising pair iu Welsh Rugby to-day, aud Claude Davey, the international centre and one of the surest and hardest taeklcrs playing in Britain. The Swansea backs were generally better than the All Blacks, none of whom was iu real form. Their handling was poor and Solomon and Gilbert were decidedly weak, while Caughey was definitely oil' form. It is understood he was not keen to play, doubting whether his leg would stand

Manager

Received Sunday, 9.50 p.m, LONDON, Sept. 29,

the strain, but he was persuaded to turn out.

Wet Ground. Assisted Home Side. “The gigantic, crowd sang ‘Land oi My Tathers ’ ivhcu the players came out, and the weather was dull and overcast, and rain during the morning caused tho ground to be heavy, this contributing to tho All Blacks’ defeat. “Swansea kicked oil: and the All Blacks, who had apparently abandoned packing 3 —i serums with a loose forward, lost the first scrum, while Tanner from second, made a nice run but was forced out. Thereafter there was a spell of open play, the backs exchanging kicks. Solomon was twice called on to save but fumbled and knocked on. lie seemed nervous. Oaughey, attempting a run, almost got through the defence, and a few minutes later Williams and Davey were prominent in a line run. The All Black inside backs then secured, enabling Bali to make an exciting run, beating three opponents, but his inpass was dropped. “The bwausea forwards, who were showing great determination, held their own for tho first h’O minutes. They were heeling well in tho scrums and rucks and delighting the crowd. They kept up the pressure which led to tho first score. The second try came as the result of a great movement, Davies going straight through the All Blacks before passing to Davey, tho defence being well beaten. Soon afterwards Davey again pierced the defence, Solomon saving when the Welshman kicked. The New Zealanders eventually got going, Gilbert making tho opening for Ball’s try, but tho All Black backs were again defeated when Davey scored after a spectacular movement among the backs, each man gaining ground. All Blacks’ formation Searranged. “In the second half Caughoy went to centre, Gilbert to full-back and Solomon to second live-eighth, and Solomon was right on his toes, being eager to rectify his former mistakes. “The Ail Black forwards, using tearaway tactics,- early ground, and the team evidently realised the seriousness of the position as Swansea were playing well and giving the backs little room to move in. Apparently Swansea sensed victory ahead for their forwards again began holding the New Zealanders necessitating the tourists defending for ten minutes. Swansea were playing with a wing forward in iineouts, apparently aiming to swoop down on Corner and Tiudili with all piossiblo speed. The All Black forwards were now fighting magnificently, Manchester, King and Collins being especially prominent in the thick of every ruck. Manchester, looking grim, was spurring on his men. Swansea repeatedly took scrums instead of Jineouts and the drizzle was now lessening tho All Blacks’ chances. Corner finally got his backs moving but they were upset by tackling, and the Woumnen, exploiting stab line kicks, gained ground and hemmed the All Blacks on their line, making every' effort to increase their score. They lost a chance wTten Davey attempted a scissors movement but the home team continued to hold the upper haiiu and tho All Blacks, making desperate efforts and trying a variety of tactics, were unable to make headway. “Swansea held tho advantage territorially during tho first part of the second half but a breakaway carried the ball to Swansea’s goal-line, the fullback saving, his kick reaching halfway'. Swansea pressed from this relief but a promising movement by them failed through a dropped ball. “Many of tho crowd begau to leave, satisfied file game was over. Gilbert, attempting to save, kicked over his own goal-lino resulting in a scrum which went down near tho posts amid a roar of excitement. The All Blacks with a final rally' dashed up) the field ami a try seemed certain but a Swansea back pounced ou (he balL in the nick of time ahead of Adkins.

“With the liual whistle (he crowd exultingly rushed the field cheering the victors. Thousands gathered in front of the stand singing “Bor They arc Jolly Good Bellows,” and Long, the Welsh captain, addressed them.

“Tho New Zealanders looked disap pointed as they trooped off the field.’

Better Team Won, Says All Black

Mr. V. R. Meredith, the manager, interviewed, said Swansea won on their merits. They played better football than the New Zealanders. He refused to comment on tho All Blacks’ display or discuss the possibility of the experimental back formation causing their defeat. Clubs May Be Better Than Internationals FORWARDS AND BACKS PCTH BLAMED Received Sunday, 9 35 p.m. LONDON, Sept. 29. The Observer’s Rugby critic says: “The defeat of the All Blacks is relatively unimportant as it is an undisputed fact that some of the recent international teams owing to poor combination would be beaten by a tip-top club side. Consequently the All Blacks’ international matches are still open although ikey must ißigtoye j&fgi: lQ£*

ward play in order to succeed. Moreover Swansea proved that clubs provide better fixtures than combined teams, which fact may affect future programmes. ’ ’

Dr. Gent, writing in the Sunday Times on the Swansea match, says: “The All Blacks were rather badly rattled in tho opening stages of the second half when the referee stopped the game three times in three minutes to speak to tho players on both sides. The Swansea pack repeatedly exposed tho tourists’ weakness ia the forwards which tho backs’ brilliance was unable to counteract.’’

Captain Sewell, iu the Sunday Graphic, bays: “The All Blacks’ dcl'eat was duo to lack of pace behind the scrum, for which injuries were not responsible. The victory proves the unwisdom of the tourists’ fixtures with ten gift matches against English sides.” INDIVIDUAL POINTS TABLE The All Blacks suffered the first defeat of their tour iu the game against Swansea on Saturday. After their brilliant display the previous Wednesday much better things were expected of them, and though, it may be yet too early to belittle the tourists, Saturday’s setback is anything but a good augury for further fixtures ahead. Although the 1905 All Blacks just scraped home by a potted goal to a try against Swansea, the 1995 combination decisively beat the Welshmen by 59—3. The following is a compilation of the points scored by individual' players and will be added to after each game:—

Spectacular Game in Napier HAWKE’S BAY DEFEAT VISITING SIDE Per Proas Association. NAPIER, Last Night. In a game lhat was a fitting climax to tho season, tho Hawke’s Bay Rugbyrepresentatives defeated Wellington by 33 points to 19 before an attendance of 3500 spectators and in glorious weather. The game was particularly bright and it was packed with thrilling movements, sensational! scores being the feature of tho game. Tho home forwards played a splendid game. throughout, while tho Wellington backs were brilliant, especially their wonderful passing movements, mauy- of which were initialed within a few yards of their own line. Limning opened the scoring with a fine try- from a ruck, Pollock convert-

Then Le Quesnc reduced the margin with a clever field goal. Snappy passing by the Wellington inside backs led to Fleming again scoring and Pollock converting.

An interception by Russell then caught Wellington napping, and the Bay forwards broke through, Rolls scoring and Bradley converting. Towards the cud of the spell Apscy gained possession in the open to score a pretty try, Bradley converting, making the half-time score: Hawke’s Bay 14, Wellington 10. Interesting as had been tho first spell, it was nothing to what was in store after the interval, when both sides delighted tho spectators with a brilliant exhibition of open play. The honours fluctuated in a most interesting manner, tho first half being featured by an orgy of scoring. Le Quesnc led off with a wonderful drop kick from a mark which went over the goal. Then Warcham increased Wellington’s score with a sensational try following a thrilling run down the sideline. Another penalty goal to Bradley was followed by Lynch scoring for the tourists from a forward scramble on tho line. Ouce again the Bay retaliated, Apscy sending Rolls over for an unconverted try. After each had put in a long run to keep in the hunt Pollock put over a good goal, the ball bouncing over the bar. Taking charge in the last Jive minutes of the game Hawke’s Bay added two splendid tries, Kelly and Lc Quesne scoring for Johnston to convert both, making the final count: Hawke’s Bay So, Wellington 19. After tho gamo P. D. Kilby was made tho recipient of a presentation by the Rugby Union on behalf of the Hawke’s Bay supporters, this being Kilby’s final appearance in inter-pro-vincial football.

Canterbury Again Beaten TARANAKI MUCH TOO GOOD ON THE DAY % CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night, la the ISst iutcr-provincial Rugby match of the season Taranaki beat Canterbury on Saturday by 21 points to S, and the score was a fair index of the difference in play of the two teams. The Canterbury men, who have probably had more than enough of big 'football this year, showed for long period a complete lack of vigour and team-work which had marked their earlier matches. Taranaki, on the other hand, played with fire and determination. Their forwards outplayed the Canterbury pack and their backs were able to penetrate the CanterbUry defc-nec several times. In the first spell tries were scored for Taranaki by Edwards, Sullivan and E. Young, and W. Young converted Sullivan’s try. Taranaki led 11-0 at half-time. Opening the second spell Canterbury (showed some form and Burke and Polgon scored, tries .and, McAuliffe convert*

ed Poison’s try. Tlieso wero Canterbury’s only scores. Gardner and Edwards scored tries for Taranki, and Coffins converted one and W. Young the other, making the final score 21-8. Wellington Beat Horowhenua At Wellington on Saturday Wellington B easily beat Horowhenua by 3(5 points to 14.

Gilbert . . . j Tries. © o 4 Penalties. C tXi a pH H 1 24 Caughcy . . 5 — ■ — — 15 McKenzie . • 2 — — G Mitelicll . . 2 — — — G King .... >■) — — — (i Hart . . . . 2 — — — 6 Brown . . . O — — — 6 Ball .... 2 — — — 6 Oliver . . . — 3 — — G Manchester . 1 — — — 3 Reid .... 1 — — — O Pepper . . . 1 — — — 3 Corner . . , 1